Ida Rebecca Brockman Cornelius, 1869-1960

John M. Brockman came to Nebraska from Illinois in 1859 and taught school. When the Civil War began he enlisted in the First Nebraska Cavalry, later merged with the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. He served three years and three months. In 1867 he married Addie Mitchell of Illinois and brought her back to Nebraska where he had a farm four miles northwest of Stella. The couple had five children, two of whom survived. Brockman was a State Legislator from 1893-1895.

Ida Rebecca Brockman was born September 10, 1869, and lived most of her life in Richardson County. She was a member of the first four-year class to graduate from Humboldt High School, in 1886. Following graduation, she taught school to earn money for a higher education. She attended the University of Nebraska then returned to Richardson County to teach for twelve years.

Ida married Alpheus B. Cornelius on February 24, 1889 and bore him three daughters: Amy, Carol, and Floy. The couple lived on a farm northeast of Humboldt until 1937, when they retired and moved into the town of Humboldt. Alpheus Cornelius died on March 16, 1956 at the age of 88 years. Ida survived him for four years, and passed away on March 3, 1960.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection relates to the life and family of Ida Rebecca Brockman Cornelius, and is arranged in five Series: 1) Diary, 1887-c.1910; 2) Ida Brockman Cornelius Writings; 3) Family History Materials; 4) World War I Home Front Materials, 1918-1919; and 5) Miscellaneous.

The bulk of the collection consists of a diary [available only as a transcript with general index] that Ida kept for over twenty years. People appearing in the diary are indexed both by first name and last name. Entries concern daily life, family and friends, weather in Richardson County, education, farming, church activities, Chautauquas, etc.

Other notable items in the collection include Ida's writings (Series 2). A short travel journal, "The Voyage of the Ark," describes a trip the Cornelius Family made by wagon along the banks of the Missouri River in 1908. The journal is illustrated with photographs, pasted in pictures from magazines, and plant specimens. Her interest in plants is evident also in the articles she wrote about the "Wild flowers of Nebraska." Ida's recipe notebook is an outstanding example of a personal cookbook, organized by type of dish, with notes as to the source of a recipe, etc.

Note: The original recipe book and the journal, "The Voyage of the Ark," are restricted for preservation. Researchers are asked to use the photocopies and transcripts provided. The photo component of the collection [RG5107.PH] includes 97 portraits and snapshots of the Cornelius Family, related families and friends.

DESCRIPTION

Series 1 - Diary, 1887-c.1910

Box 1
Folder

Diary index, alphabetical by LAST name

Diary index, alphabetical by FIRST name

Summary extracts from the diary

1887, Feb. 27-Dec. 22

1887, Dec. 23 - 1888, Aug. 7

1888, Aug. 8 - 1889, May 6

1889, May 7 - 1890, May 20

1890, May 21 - 1891, Aug. 14

1891, Aug. 15 - 1894, May 31

1894, June 1 - 1896, June 12

1896, June 13 - 1898, May 11

Box 2
Folder

1898, May 13 - 1900, May 9

1900, May 11 - 1902, July 9

1902, July 12 - c.1910

Series 2 - Ida Brockman Cornelius Writings

Box 2
Folder

"First Western Trip" [transcript only]

Recipe book [photocopy]

Recipe book [transcript]

"The Voyage of the Ark," 1908 [photocopy]

"The Voyage of the Ark," 1908 [transcript]
Letter, Sept. 30, 1908, describing the trip to the Missouri River, [transcript]